befall

[ bih-fawl ]

verb (used without object)

, be·fell, be·fall·en, be·fall·ing.

1. to happen or occur.

   Synonyms: chance, materialize, betide, ensue, bechance

2. Archaic. to come, as by right.

verb (used with object)

, be·fell, be·fall·en, be·fall·ing.

1. to happen to, especially by chance or fate.

befall

/ bɪˈfɔːl /

verb

1. intr to take place; come to pass
2. tr to happen to
3. intrusually foll byto to be due, as by right

Word History and Origins

Origin of befall¹

before 900; Middle English befallen, Old English befeallan. See be-, fall (v.)

Word History and Origins

Origin of befall¹

Old English befeallan ; related to Old High German bifallan , Dutch bevallen ; see be- , fall

Example Sentences

The Supreme Court ruled in 1958 that the NAACP did not have to comply with Alabama’s demand that it list its donors because of the danger that could befall donors if their names were disclosed.

From Washington Post

Save for a few fever checks and mask-wearing rules, Taiwan’s residents relished a life mostly sheltered from the heavy toll of lockdowns and isolation that befell the rest of the globe.

From Quartz

Phelps was an executive producer on 2020 HBO documentary, Weight of Gold, which explored the mental health struggles that often befall Olympic athletes after the Games.

From Time

When John returns from his mission, tragedy befalls him in a plot point so egregiously manipulative you might be tempted to call this movie Tom Clancy’s Without Shame.

From Time

Baseball is the game in which, every day, you take responsibility for everything that has befallen others yet is not your fault.

From Washington Post

There are too many accidents that can befall life on a single planet.

From The Daily Beast

Information about the neurologic and psychological changes that may befall young TBI victims is scarce.

From The Daily Beast

He was in tears as he begged them to tell their own people to stay in their homes and promised that no harm would befall them.

From The Daily Beast

Her daily missives chronicle the longing and insecurity that often befall long-distance relationships and eventual breakups.

From The Daily Beast

FERC also needs to have sufficient power to deal with a national emergency that might befall the entire bulk electricity system.

From The Daily Beast

The prophets have spoken in the wind, and there was no word of God in them: these things therefore shall befall them.

From Project Gutenberg

Into Tressan's mind there sprang the memory of the thing Garnache had promised should befall him in such a case.

From Project Gutenberg

But I am come to teach thee what things shall befall thy people in the latter days, for as yet the vision is for days.

From Project Gutenberg

His simple little heart is filled with a sense of the catastrophes that befall the great and strong.

From Project Gutenberg

Something might befall this untrained citizen at any hour,—then where would the future of the Kano name be found?

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• ensue
• materialize
• transpire